Pakistani Taliban offer talks amid growing pressure for military push

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Taliban on Sunday offered peace talks amid mounting pressure on the government to launch a major offensive against them following recent wave of attacks.

Dozens of security men and civilians were killed in recent Taliban attacks across the country, which spoiled environment for the much anticipated peace talks.

The Taliban said they once again offer meaningful and useful talks with the government.

"However the government will have to provide a conducive environment for the negotiations," Shahidullah Shahid, spokesman for Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan said.

"However, the government is only making press statements," Shahid said amind reports that the security forces are likely to launch a major offensive against the Taliban insurgents.

He accused the state media of launching a "baselss propaganda" against the Taliban regarding dialogue process.

"A war is again being imposed on the tribal people under the unfounded accusations and excuse that the Taliban are refusing talks," the TTP spokesman said.

"This is a war tactics and an easy way to appease the Unted States. The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has made it clear to the people that the Taliban are always willing for a meaninghful, durable and serious dialogue," Shahidullah Shahid said in a statement.

He said the government should come up with a clear approach if it is sincere in talks, adding that the Taliban had been positive when a representative of a religious leader Maulana Sami-ul-Haq met them with suggestions for peace dialogue.